Swing amusement ride system

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is an amusement ride system that includes a support component extending in a generally horizontal direction. The support component includes a first anchored segment, a medial segment, and a second anchored segment. The medial segment of the support component is elevated a distance above the ground. The amusement ride system further includes a trolley that is movably attached to the support component and a retraction subsystem. The retraction subsystem moves the trolley along the length of the support component between the first anchored segment and the medial segment. Also, the amusement ride system includes a swing subsystem that includes a passenger carriage and a swing line pivotally coupled to the trolley. The passenger carriage swings on the swing line about the trolley and the length of the swing line between the passenger carriage and the trolley is less than the distance above the ground.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/865,933, filed on Aug. 14, 2013, which isincorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to amusement rides, and more particularlyrelates to free-swinging amusement rides.

BACKGROUND

Swinging amusement rides are entertaining and provide exciting thrillsto passengers. Often, swinging amusement rides have a support or ananchor point to which a swinging line is coupled. For some conventionalswinging amusement rides that span large gaps, the support can be acable that extends in a horizontal direction and is elevated a distanceabove the ground. In such configurations, the swinging motion is oftenin a direction that is perpendicular to the horizontal direction of thesupport. In other words, most conventional swinging systems have a barextending horizontally that is supported in the elevated position bymounting structures. A swing line is attached to the bar and theswinging direction is orthogonal to the direction of the bar.

However, in certain situations it is difficult to efficiently usherpassengers through a swinging amusement ride system. For example, aftera ride is completed and the passenger(s) has substantially stoppedswinging, ride attendants must perform the loading/unloading operationsat the bottom of the swinging arc before returning the passengercarriage to a launch point. Returning the passenger carriage to thelaunch point can be difficult and time consuming. For example, since theswinging motion occurs in a direction perpendicular to the direction ofthe support bar, conventional amusement systems must have mountingstructures at each end of the support and a launching structure at athird elevated point separate from the two mounting structures. Thus,conventional swinging amusement ride systems generally require threeseparate elevated points.

SUMMARY

From the foregoing discussion, it is apparent that a need exists for anamusement ride system that more effectively ushers passengers through aride and provides passengers with a high thrill factor. Beneficially,such a system would allow passengers to efficiently be loaded, swingacross large gaps or chasms, and be unloaded. The subject matter of thepresent disclosure has been developed in response to the present stateof the art, and in particular, in response to the problems and needs inthe art that have not yet been fully solved by currently availableamusement ride systems. Accordingly, the subject matter of the presentdisclosure has been developed to provide an amusement ride system thatmay overcome many or all of the above-discussed or other shortcomings inthe art.

The present disclosure relates to an amusement ride system that includesa support component extending in a generally horizontal direction. Thesupport component includes a first anchored segment, a medial segment,and a second anchored segment. The medial segment of the supportcomponent is elevated a distance above the ground. The amusement ridesystem further includes a trolley that is movably attached to thesupport component. Still further, the amusement ride system includes aretraction subsystem that moves the trolley along the length of thesupport component between the first anchored segment and the medialsegment. Also, the amusement ride system includes a swing subsystem thatincludes a passenger carriage and a swing line pivotally coupled to thetrolley. The passenger carriage swings on the swing line about thetrolley and the length of the swing line between the passenger carriageand the trolley is less than the distance above the ground.

In one embodiment, the support component spans a canyon, gorge, valley,ravine, gap, gulch, or chasm. Additionally, the first anchored segmentof the support component may be a tower. In one embodiment, theamusement ride system may further include a passenger loading subsystem.The passenger loading subsystem includes a platform and a securingmechanism. The platform temporarily engages the passenger carriage whileloading and unloading passengers and the securing mechanism temporarilysecures the passenger carriage while loading and unloading passengers.In one implementation, the platform includes moveable floor panels thatcan be retracted to a launch position. Also, the passenger carriage canbe positioned so that passengers look substantially straight down to theground when the floor panels are retracted to the launch position.

In one implementation, the swing subsystem further includes a swing linedrive motor for extending and retracting the swing line. The swing linedrive motor may be affixed to the trolley. In another embodiment, theswing line drive motor is affixed to the first anchored segment of thesupport component, and the trolley comprises a swing line pulley memberfor engaging the swing line. In yet another embodiment, the swing linedrive motor is affixed to the medial segment of the support component,and the trolley comprises a swing line pulley member for engaging theswing line.

The retraction subsystem includes a trolley line affixed to the trolley,a first pulley member affixed to the first anchored segment of thesupport component for engaging the trolley line, a medial pulley memberaffixed to the medial segment of the support component for engaging thetrolley line, and a trolley line drive motor for extending andretracting the trolley line. The trolley may include a tetheringmechanism for temporarily tethering the trolley to the medial segment ofthe support component. In one embodiment, the support component is twocables tensioned to 5,000 pounds. Also, each of the cables may have arating of over 85,000 pounds. The passenger carriage may include a seatfor positioning a passenger in a seating position. In anotherembodiment, the seat is a tandem seat for positioning two passengersside-by-side in the seating position.

The present disclosure also relates to an amusement ride system thatincludes a support component extending in a generally horizontaldirection. The support component includes a first anchored segment, amedial segment, and a second anchored segment, wherein at least themedial segment of the support component is elevated a distance above theground. The system further includes a trolley movably attached to thesupport component and a retraction subsystem that moves the trolleyalong the length of the support component between the first anchoredsegment and the medial segment. The retraction subsystem includes atrolley line affixed to the trolley, a first pulley member affixed tothe first anchored segment of the support component for engaging thetrolley line, a medial pulley member affixed to the medial segment ofthe support component for engaging the trolley line, and a trolley linedrive motor for extending and retracting the trolley line.

Further, the system includes a swing subsystem that has a passengercarriage, a swing line pivotally coupled to the trolley, and a swingline drive motor for extending and retracting the swing line. Thepassenger carriage can swing on the swing line about the trolley and thelength of the swing line between the passenger carriage and the trolleyis less than the distance above the ground. The system may still furtherinclude a passenger loading subsystem that has a platform and a securingmechanism. The platform temporarily engages the passenger carriage whileloading and unloading passengers, and the securing mechanism temporarilysecures the passenger carriage while loading and unloading passengers.In one embodiment, the swing line drive motor is affixed to the firstanchored segment of the support component, and the trolley has a swingline pulley member for engaging the swing line.

The present disclosure also relates to an amusement ride method. Themethod includes loading a passenger into a passenger carriage on aplatform, wherein a swing line is interconnected between the passengercarriage and a trolley that is movably attached to a support component,wherein the support component extends in a direction across a canyon.Further, the method includes positioning the passenger carriage into alaunching position on the platform, releasing the passenger carriagefrom the platform to swing in the direction of the support component,retracting the swing line to raise the passenger carriage, and movingthe trolley towards the platform to unload the passenger from thepassenger carriage.

Reference throughout this specification to features, advantages, orsimilar language does not imply that all of the features and advantagesthat may be realized with the subject matter of the present disclosureshould be or are in any single embodiment of the subject matter. Rather,language referring to the features and advantages is understood to meanthat a specific feature, advantage, or characteristic described inconnection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment ofthe subject matter of the present disclosure. Thus, discussion of thefeatures and advantages, and similar language, throughout thisspecification may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same embodiment.

The described features, structures, advantages, and/or characteristicsof the subject matter of the present disclosure may be combined in anysuitable manner in one or more embodiments and/or implementations. Inthe following description, numerous specific details are provided toimpart a thorough understanding of embodiments of the subject matter ofthe present disclosure. One skilled in the relevant art will recognizethat the subject matter of the present disclosure may be practicedwithout one or more of the specific features, details, components,materials, and/or methods of a particular embodiment or implementation.In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognizedin certain embodiments and/or implementations that may not be present inall embodiments or implementations. Further, in some instances,well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown ordescribed in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the subject matter ofthe present disclosure. The features and advantages of the subjectmatter of the present disclosure will become more fully apparent fromthe following description and appended claims, or may be learned by thepractice of the subject matter as set forth hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the advantages of the subject matter of the presentdisclosure will be readily understood, a more particular description ofthe subject matter will be rendered by reference to specific embodimentsthat are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that thesedrawings depict only typical embodiments of the subject matter of thepresent disclosure and are not therefore to be considered to be limitingof its scope, the subject matter will be described and explained withadditional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1A depicts one embodiment of an amusement ride system for swinginga passenger on a swing line;

FIG. 1B depicts another embodiment of an amusement ride system forswinging a passenger on a swing line;

FIG. 2 depicts one embodiment of an amusement ride system for swinging apassenger on a swing line with the swing line affixed to a firstanchored segment of a support component;

FIG. 3 depicts one embodiment of an amusement ride system for swinging apassenger on a swing line with the passenger in a loading position;

FIG. 4 depicts one embodiment of an amusement ride system for swinging apassenger on a swing line with the swing line affixed to a moveabletrolley;

FIG. 5 depicts one embodiment of an amusement ride system for swinging apassenger on a swing line with the swing line affixed to a medialsegment of a support component;

FIG. 6 depicts one embodiment of a tower and a platform for an amusementride system;

FIG. 7 depicts one embodiment of a platform with a passenger carriage ina launching position;

FIG. 8 depicts one embodiment of a passenger loading subsystem; and

FIG. 9 is a schematic flow chart diagram of a swing amusement ridemethod, according to one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “anembodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature,structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodimentis included in at least one embodiment of the subject matter of thepresent disclosure. Appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “inan embodiment,” and similar language throughout this specification may,but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment. Similarly, theuse of the term “implementation” means an implementation having aparticular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connectionwith one or more embodiments of the subject matter of the presentdisclosure, however, absent an express correlation to indicateotherwise, an implementation may be associated with one or moreembodiments.

FIG. 1A depicts one embodiment of an amusement ride system for swinginga passenger or passengers on a swing line. The depicted embodiment ofthe system includes a support component 100 extending across a canyon50, a trolley 200, a retraction subsystem 300, and a swing subsystem400. The trolley 200, the retraction subsystem 300, and the swingsubsystem 400 are described below in greater detail with reference toFIGS. 2-5. Generally, the amusement ride of the present disclosureprovides a system for swinging a passenger carriage on a swing line,wherein the swing line pivots about a trolley that is movably attachedto a support component that is spanning a gap.

The system of the present disclosure provides a support component 100extending between two points 51, 52 in a first horizontal direction 56,which can be substantially horizontal (e.g., slightly angled as shown orsignificantly angled if necessary). At least a portion 104 of thesupport component 100 that extends between the two points 51, 52 issuspended a distance 53 above the ground. In other words, the supportcomponent 100 includes at least three segments, a first anchored segment102 affixed to the first point 51, a medial segment 104 suspended adistance 53 above the ground, and a second anchored segment 106 affixedto the second point 52. Thus, the two points 51, 52 are elevated abovethe ground so that a user may achieve a swinging motion while beingsupported by the support component 100. Therefore, throughout thepresent disclosure, the term “ground” will be used to refer to alocation that is lower in elevation than the first and second points 51,52 and does not necessarily refer to ground level (i.e., the swingsystem may be constructed on top of a large structure with towerscomprising the first and second points 51, 52).

In one embodiment, as depicted in FIG. 1A, the first point 51 and thesecond point 52 are actually walls or cliffs of a canyon 50 and theground is actually the valley floor. In other embodiments, the elevatedpoints 51, 52 may be the walls/cliffs of a gorge, valley, ravine, gap,gulch, or chasm. The support component 100 may be affixed at the firstand second points 51, 52 via conventional securing assemblies. Forexample, steel supports may be driven into the face of the canyon andthe support component 100 may be coupled thereto.

FIG. 1B, however, depicts another embodiment of an amusement ride systemfor swinging a passenger or passengers on a swing line. In FIG. 1B, thefirst point 51 and the second point 52 may be man-made (e.g.,manufactured) structures, such as buildings and/or towers. For example,in one implementation, each of the first and second points 51, 52 may bedefined by respective first and second manufactured towers (e.g.,buildings, structures, beams) that extend from the ground. The firsttower 103 that defines the first point 51 may have stairs or anintegrated elevator that transports passengers up the tower to ride theamusement ride system and down the tower to exit the amusement ridesystem after riding the amusement ride attraction. The towers may beconstructed of metal scaffolding, cement, and/or other constructionmaterials. In one embodiment, the first point 51 or the second point 52may be a manufactured tower while the other may be a wall or cliff of acanyon (i.e., a natural structure). The manufactured towers may alsoinclude tensioned support cables anchored to the ground (not depicted)configured to stabilize and shore up the towers.

The support component 100, in one embodiment, may be a cable or aplurality of cables. For example, the support component 100 may comprisetwo ¾ inch steel cables that extend across the entire canyon 50, whichcan have walls that extend upwards of 4,000 feet above the valley floor,in some implementations. The cables may be tensioned to around 5,000pounds and may each have a rating of 85,000 pounds, according to oneembodiment. In another embodiment, the support component 100 may beconstructed of a rigid material spanning the distance between the twopoints 51, 52, such as a beam or a truss structure. The supportcomponent may also include other elements, such as a tower 103. Whilethe system in FIGS. 1A and 1B depicts the tower 103 as an element of thefirst anchored segment 102 of the support component 100, the distinctionbetween whether the tower 103 is an element of the support component 100or an element of the canyon 50 is not important. In other words,throughout the present disclosure, the use of the word “tower” as anelement of the first anchored segment 102 of the support component 100should not limit the scope of the disclosure in any way.

FIG. 2 depicts one embodiment of an amusement ride system for swinging apassenger on a swing line with the swing line affixed to the firstanchored segment 102 of the support component 100. As described above,the amusement ride system disclosed in the present application includesa support component 100 (described above with reference to FIGS. 1A and1B), a trolley 200, a retraction subsystem 300, and a swing subsystem400. The embodiment depicted in FIG. 2 also includes a passenger loadingsubsystem 500, which is described below with reference to FIG. 3. Thetrolley 200, the retraction subsystem 300, and the swing subsystem 400are all supported and sustained by the support component 100. Morespecifically, the trolley 200 is movably attached to the supportcomponent 100 so as to slide, roll, glide or otherwise move along thelength of the support component 100 in the first horizontal direction56. The retraction subsystem 300 powers the movement of the trolley 200back and forth along the length of the support component 100. The swingsubsystem 400 attaches to or engages the trolley 200 in such a manner soas to allow a passenger to be pivoted about the trolley 200 in aswinging motion when the trolley 200 is located near the medial segment104 of the support component.

As mentioned, the trolley 200 is an element of the system that ismovably attached to the support component 100. The trolley 200 may bepositioned near the medial segment 104 of the support component 100while the passenger is swinging but may be positioned near the firstanchored segment 102 of the support component 100 while the passenger isbeing loaded or unloaded into the amusement ride. For example, in oneembodiment the trolley 200 includes a pulley or a sheave engaged on acable (support component 100) so as to be freely movable along thelength of the cable. The trolley 200 may also include a tetheringmechanism 202 for temporarily anchoring the trolley to the medialsegment 104 of the support component 100 during swinging. The trolley200 may also be embodied in other devices that are capable of beingmoved along a cable or a beam. For example, the trolley 200 may be arollercoaster-type trolley with wheels engaging both the upper and lowersurfaces of the support component 100.

The retraction subsystem 300, as briefly described above, is configuredto move the trolley 200 along the support component 100 between thefirst anchored segment 102 and the medial segment 104. According to oneembodiment, the retraction subsystem 300 may include a trolley line 301affixed to the trolley 200, a first pulley member 302 affixed to thefirst anchored segment 102 of the support component 100, a medial pulleymember 304 affixed to the medial segment 104 of the support component100, and a reversible trolley line drive motor 306 for extending andretracting the trolley line 301. The trolley line 301 may comprise, forexample, two ¼ inch cables extending between the two pulley members 302,304 and affixed to the trolley. In another embodiment, the trolley line301 comprises belts or straps extending between the pulley members 302,304. The pulley members 302, 304 may include drums, sheaves, or barrelsfor engaging the trolley line 301.

According to one embodiment, the medial pulley member 304 may be affixedto the medial segment 104 of the support component 100 by clamping orpermanently fastening to the support component 100. Also, the medialpulley member 304 may include a tethering mechanism part 305 compatiblewith the tethering mechanism 202 on the trolley 200, wherein the trolley200 can be temporarily fastened and secured indirectly to the medialsegment 104 of the support component 100 (via the medial pulley member304). Throughout the pages of the disclosure, the term pulley is used torefer to a wheel or roller that has a groove for engaging a belt, rope,or cable (e.g., a sheave).

Because the two pulley members 302, 304 are affixed to the supportcomponent 100, the trolley line drive motor 306 can power the rotationof one of the pulley members to retract/extend the trolley line 301,thus moving the affixed trolley 200 along the length of the supportcomponent 100. The trolley line drive motor 306 may be affixed to thefirst anchored segment 102 of the support component 100 (i.e. affixed tothe tower 103 as depicted in FIG. 2) and may drive the rotation of thefirst pulley member 302. In another embodiment, the trolley line drivemotor 306 may be affixed to the medial segment 104 of the supportcomponent 100 and may drive the rotation of the medial pulley member304. According to yet another embodiment, the pulley line drive motor306 may not actually be a stand-alone element of the system but may beintegrated into one of the pulley members 302, 304. It is contemplatedthe one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize otherretraction-type systems that may be employed in the present disclosurefor moving a trolley along a support line. For example, the trolley 200may include an integrated motor for moving the trolley along the supportcomponent from the passenger unloading/loading location to the mediallocation, such that a retraction subsystem 300 may not be needed.

The swing subsystem 400, according to one embodiment, includes a swingline 402, a passenger carriage 404, a swing line drive motor 406, and aswing line pulley member 408. The swing line 402 may be any cable, rope,or cord capable of supporting the weight of at least one passenger andthe passenger carriage 404. According to one embodiment, the swing line402 is constructed of two ¼ inch cables. The passenger carriage 404 maybe a harness for securely holding a person to the swing line 402. Inanother embodiment, the passenger carriage 404 may include a chair,reclining member, or other personal supporting apparatus for positioningthe passenger in various positions during the swing trajectory (e.g.,head forward and lying on one's stomach, sitting down facing forwards,sitting down facing backwards, hanging upside down, etc.). According toone embodiment, the passenger carriage 404 may be configured to hold asingle passenger or the carriage 404 may be configured to hold multiplepassengers. For example, the passenger carriage 404 may be a tandem seatthat positions two passengers side-by-side. The passenger carriage 404may include straps, buckles, belts, fasteners, clamps, ties, padding,arm supports, leg supports, neck/head supports, etc. It is contemplatedthat those of skill in the art will recognize other devices andmechanisms for securely swinging a person on a line that fall within thescope of this disclosure.

The swing line drive motor 406, according to the depicted embodiment,may be affixed to the first anchored segment 102 of the supportcomponent 100 (i.e., affixed to the tower 103) and the swing line pulleymember 408 may be affixed to the trolley. Similar to the trolley linedrive motor 306 described above with reference to FIG. 2, the swing linedrive motor 406 may be a component of a pulley, sheave, or drum or theswing line drive motor 406 may drive the rotation of a pulley/drum uponand around which the swing line 402 coils and uncoils during retractionand extension, respectively. The swing line drive motor 406 is capableof retracting and extending the swing line 402 through and across theswing line pulley member 408, thereby decreasing and increasing,respectively, the length 54 of the swing line 402 between the trolley200 and the passenger carriage 404. The length 54 of the swing line 402between the trolley 200 and the passenger carriage 404 should be lessthan the distance 53 between the medial segment 104 of the supportcomponent 100 and the ground to prevent the passenger carriage 404 frommaking contact with the ground during swinging.

According to one embodiment, the swing line drive motor 406 may beconfigured to perform rapid retraction and extension actions, thuscausing the length 54 of the swing line 402 to change throughout theswinging motion, thus increasing the thrill and amusement experience ofthe passenger. For example, the swing line drive motor 406 may beconfigured to raise and lower the passenger carriage 404 during theswinging trajectory in order to correspond to the various elevationcontours of the canyon 50 floor. FIGS. 4 and 5 below include detailsrelating to additional embodiments for configuring the swing subsystem400.

FIG. 3 depicts one embodiment of an amusement ride system for swinging apassenger on the swing line 402 with the passenger in a loadingposition. As briefly described above, the amusement ride system of thepresent disclosure may also include a passenger loading subsystem 500.The passenger loading subsystem 500 may include a platform 502 fortemporarily engaging the passenger carriage 404 during loading/unloadingand securing mechanisms 504 for temporarily anchoring the passengercarriage and/or the passenger during loading and unloading. For example,if the passenger carriage 404 is a board-like apparatus upon which apassenger lies, the platform 502 may include a frame for engaging theshape of the passenger carriage 404. According to one embodiment, theplatform 502 may be configured to raise and lower to engage anddisengage, respectively, the passenger carriage 404. Additionally, theplatform 502 may also be configured to move and tilt in variousdirections in order to orient the passenger into a desired positionbefore swinging. For example, once a passenger is loaded into thecarriage 404, the platform 502 may tilt the carriage 404 so that thepassenger is looking straight down the cliff face of the canyon 50. Thesecuring mechanisms 504 may include supplementary anchoring lines thattether all passengers (and ride attendants) safely to the first point 51or the first anchored segment 102. According to one embodiment, thesecuring mechanisms 504 may also be configured to serve as a rip cord ora pull string that the passenger may actuate in order to initialize theswing.

Using the embodiment depicted in FIG. 3, the amusement ride process forloading, swinging, and unloading passengers proceeds as follows,according to one example. First, the passenger is positioned into thepassenger carriage 404 and the harnesses are securely fastened. Thetrolley 200 then, or concurrently, is moved along the support component100 by the retraction subsystem 300 towards the medial segment 104 whereit may be tethered (interaction between 202 and 305) to the medialpulley member 304, (or temporarily fixed to the support component 100via an internal or integral clamping mechanism) in preparation forswinging, thus extending the swing line 402 to its swinging length. Theplatform 502 may tilt and/or rise, preparing the passenger and thepassenger carriage 404 for launch. Once the passenger initiates theswinging action, either the trolley line drive motor 306 may beconfigured to move the trolley 200 closer to the medial segment 104 ofthe support component 100 or the swing line drive motor 406 may beconfigured to retract a portion of the swing line 402, thus ensuringthat when the passenger carriage completes one pendulum period it willnot make contact with the first point 51 (i.e., the canyon 50 wall) orthe platform 502. After swinging, the retraction subsystem 300 moves thetrolley 200 back towards the first anchored segment 102 and the platform502 while the swing line drive motor 406 retracts the swing line 402 toraise the passenger carriage 404 up to the platform 502.

FIG. 4 depicts another embodiment of the amusement ride system forswinging a passenger on the swing line 402 with the swing line affixedto the trolley 200. In the depicted embodiment, the swing subsystem 400only includes the swing line 402 and the passenger carriage 404. Inother words, in the depicted embodiment, there is no swing line drivemotor and no swing line pulley member. In such an embodiment, thepassenger, while swinging, still pivots about the trolley 200 and thetrolley is still movable along the length of the support component 100between the first anchored segment 102 and the medial segment 104.However, since the swing line 402 does not retract, the depictedembodiment of the system may be implemented, for example, in situationswhere the passengers are loaded into the carriage 404 at a differentlocation than where they are unloaded.

For example, passengers may be loaded into the carriage 404 at the firstpoint 51 or at another elevated point along the wall of the canyon 50.After the passenger has swung on the ride and the swinging motion hassubstantially ceased, the trolley 200 may be configured to move backtowards the first anchored segment 102 of the support component 100,thus allowing the passenger carriage 404 to come into contact with theside walls of the canyon 50 for unloading the passengers. The passengercarriage 404 may then be manually hoisted, by ride attendants or otherusers, back to the first point 51 for loading new passengers.Additionally, the retraction subsystem 300 may also be configuredmanually. In other words, ride attendants or other users may pull thetrolley 200 back and forth along the support component 100 instead ofusing a drive motor. Thus, FIG. 4 depicts on embodiment of the swingsystem that includes fewer components but still provides the same basicarchitecture for providing passengers the thrill of swinging across agap. In another embodiment, not depicted in FIG. 4, a swing line drivemotor may be included in the swing subsystem 400 but the motor may beaffixed to, or at least a component of, the trolley 200. In such anembodiment, the swing line 402 may be extended or retracted directlyfrom the trolley 200.

FIG. 5 depicts yet another embodiment of the amusement ride system forswinging a passenger on the swing line 402 with the swing line 402affixed to the medial segment 104 of the support component 100. In thedepicted embodiment, the swing line 402 is anchored to the medialsegment 104 of the support component 100, either directly or indirectlyvia the medial pulley member 304, and the swing subsystem 400 includes aswing line pulley member 408 affixed to the trolley 200 but does notinclude a swing line drive motor. In such an embodiment, the retractionsubsystem 300 can move the trolley 200 back and forth along the supportcomponent 100 between the first anchored segment 102 and the medialsegment 104, thus causing the passenger carriage 404 to raise and loweraccording to the position of the trolley 200.

For example, since the total length of the swing line 402 in thedepicted embodiment is fixed, the length 54 of the swing line 402between the support component 100 and the passenger carriage 404increases as the trolley approaches the medial segment 104 and,conversely, the said length 54 decreases as the trolley approaches thefirst anchored segment 102. Therefore, in such an embodiment, a swingline drive motor may not be necessary because the retraction subsystem300 and the movement of the trolley 200 raises and lowers the passengercarriage 404. However, although not depicted in FIG. 5, a passengerloading subsystem that movably extends outward and/or upward from thecliff 50, 51 may be helpful in such an embodiment to ensure the safetyof the passengers and prevent the passenger carriage 404 from contactingthe canyon during the swinging action. In another embodiment, notdepicted in FIG. 5, a swing line drive motor may be included in theswing subsystem 400 but the motor may be affixed to the medial segment104 of the support component 100 or to the medial pulley member 304.

FIG. 6 depicts one embodiment of a tower 103 and a passenger loadingsubsystem 500 for an amusement ride system. Similar to the embodimentsdescribed above, the embodiment of the tower 103 depicted in FIG. 6 notonly provides an anchoring point for the various support cables andlines, but the tower 103 may also include walkways and various otherpassenger amenities. For example, the tower 103 may house the passengerloading subsystem 500. Although not shown in FIG. 6 to avoid obscuringaspects of the disclosure, the walkways may have safety walls or safetyrailings around the peripheral edges to prevent passengers and/or rideattendants from falling off. According to one embodiment, the trolleyline drive motor 306 and the first pulley member 302 may be mounted to aroof of the platform 103 so that the trolley line 301 extends above thepassengers (not depicted). The support component 100 may be affixed tothe tower 103 at the same position as the trolley line drive motor 306.The tower 103 may also include cable winches (not shown) for tensioningthe support component cables. At one end 105 of the tower 103, a walkwaymay extend out over the edge of the canyon 50 wall. A passenger loadingsubsystem 500 may be located at the end 105 of the walkway. Alsodepicted in FIG. 6 is a swing line 402 and a passenger carriage 404.Additional details regarding one embodiment of the passenger loadingsubsystem 500 and the passenger carriage 404 are shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.

FIG. 7 depicts one embodiment of a platform 502 of a passenger loadingsubsystem 500 with a passenger carriage 404 in a launching position.According to one embodiment, the platform 502 of the loading subsystem500 may include rotatable floor panels that pivot 501 outwardly abouthinges 503 into a launch position. The passenger loading subsystem 500may also include an actuating lift 506 (e.g., a hydraulic/pneumaticpiston) that can be controlled to position the carriage 404 in thelaunch position, as depicted. In other words, once a passenger issecurely harnessed into the passenger carriage 404, the floor panelsbelow him may pivot outwards and the carriage 404 may be tipped forwardby the actuation of the lift 506 so that the passenger is lookingstraight down at the canyon 50 and the ground below. As described above,the passenger may then pull or trigger the release of the securingmechanism to initiate the swing. In another embodiment, the passengerloading subsystem may automatically trigger the release of the passengercarriage 404. According to another embodiment, and as described below ingreater detail with reference to FIG. 8, the passenger loading subsystem500 may have engagement arms 507 that have notches 508 (not shown inFIG. 7, see FIG. 8) for receiving support bars 409 affixed to thesupport member 407 of the passenger carriage 404. As the passengercarriage 404 is tilted forward by the lift 506, the support bars 409 mayslide out of the notches 508 of the engagement arms 507 to commence theswinging action.

FIG. 8 is a side view of one embodiment of a passenger loading subsystem500 and a passenger carriage 404. FIG. 8 depicts the passenger loadingsubsystem 500 and the passenger carriage 404 in both a loading position509 (gray-dotted lines) and a launch position 510. The passengercarriage 404 may include a passenger seat 405 permanently affixed to apassenger support member 407. As briefly described above, the passengerseat 405 may hold a single passenger or may hold multiple passengers(e.g., a tandem seat). The passenger support member 407 may have supportbars 409 that extend horizontally across the support member 407. Thesesupport bars 409 may be received into notches 508 on the engagement arms507. Once again, the engagement arms 507 are hingedly coupled to a fixedpoint on the platform and the lift 506 can be actuated to extend andretract the loading subsystem 500 between the loading position 509 andthe launch position 510. Once the lift 506 has tipped the engagementarms 507 to a certain position, the support bars 407 of the passengercarriage 404 may slide out of the notches 508 on the engagement arms 507and the passenger carriage 404, including the passenger support member407, the passenger seat 405, and the passenger, commences the swingingaction.

It is contemplated that additional configurations of the variouscomponents and subsystems of the amusement ride swing system fall withinthe scope of the present disclosure. For example, the swing line drivemotor 406 may be positioned and affixed to various locations in thesystem or may not even be included at all in a certain embodiment, asbriefly described above. Additionally, it is contemplated that thecomponents and subsystems of the presently disclosed amusement rideswing system are scalable according to the needs of a specificapplication. For example, multiple support components (e.g., multiplecables) 100 may extend across the canyon 50 (at least the multiplecables would extend between the first anchored segment 102 and themedial segment 104) for supporting multiple trolleys 200, multipleretraction subsystems 300, multiple swing subsystems 400, and/ormultiple loading subsystems 500 for expeditiously ushering passengersthrough the ride.

FIG. 9 is a schematic flow chart diagram of a swing amusement ridemethod 800, according to one embodiment. The method 900 includes loadinga passenger into a passenger carriage on a platform at 902. A swing lineis interconnected between the passenger carriage 404 and the trolley200. The trolley 200 is movably attached to the support component 100that extends in a direction across a canyon 50. The method 900 includespositioning the passenger carriage into a launching position on theplatform at 904. The method 900 continues and the passenger carriage isreleased from the platform to swing in the direction of the supportcomponent at 906. After the swinging ride has stopped, the method 900includes retracting the swing line to raise the passenger carriage at909 and moving the trolley towards the platform to unload the passengerfrom the passenger carriage at 910.

The schematic flow chart diagrams included herein are generally setforth as logical flow chart diagrams. As such, the depicted order andlabeled steps are indicative of one embodiment of the presented method.Other steps and methods may be conceived that are equivalent infunction, logic, or effect to one or more steps, or portions thereof, ofthe illustrated method. Additionally, the format and symbols employedare provided to explain the logical steps of the method and areunderstood not to limit the scope of the method. Although various arrowtypes and line types may be employed in the flow chart diagrams, theyare understood not to limit the scope of the corresponding method.Indeed, some arrows or other connectors may be used to indicate only thelogical flow of the method. For instance, an arrow may indicate awaiting or monitoring period of unspecified duration between enumeratedsteps of the depicted method. Additionally, the order in which aparticular method occurs may or may not strictly adhere to the order ofthe corresponding steps shown.

In the above description, certain terms may be used such as “up,”“down,” “upper,” “lower,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “left,” “right,” andthe like. These terms are used, where applicable, to provide someclarity of description when dealing with relative relationships. But,these terms are not intended to imply absolute relationships, positions,and/or orientations. For example, with respect to an object, an “upper”surface can become a “lower” surface simply by turning the object over.Nevertheless, it is still the same object. Further, the terms“including,” “comprising,” “having,” and variations thereof mean“including but not limited to” unless expressly specified otherwise. Anenumerated listing of items does not imply that any or all of the itemsare mutually exclusive and/or mutually inclusive, unless expresslyspecified otherwise. The terms “a,” “an,” and “the” also refer to “oneor more” unless expressly specified otherwise.

Additionally, instances in this specification where one element is“coupled” to another element can include direct and indirect coupling.Direct coupling can be defined as one element coupled to and in somecontact with another element. Indirect coupling can be defined ascoupling between two elements not in direct contact with each other, buthaving one or more additional elements between the coupled elements.Further, as used herein, securing one element to another element caninclude direct securing and indirect securing. Additionally, as usedherein, “adjacent” does not necessarily denote contact. For example, oneelement can be adjacent another element without being in contact withthat element.

As used herein, the phrase “at least one of”, when used with a list ofitems, means different combinations of one or more of the listed itemsmay be used and only one of the items in the list may be needed. Theitem may be a particular object, thing, or category. In other words, “atleast one of” means any combination of items or number of items may beused from the list, but not all of the items in the list may berequired. For example, “at least one of item A, item B, and item C” maymean item A; item A and item B; item B; item A, item B, and item C; oritem B and item C. In some cases, “at least one of item A, item B, anditem C” may mean, for example, without limitation, two of item A, one ofitem B, and ten of item C; four of item B and seven of item C; or someother suitable combination.

The present disclosure may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from its spirit or essential characteristics. The describedembodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrativeand not restrictive. The scope of the disclosure is, therefore,indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoingdescription. All changes which come within the meaning and range ofequivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

What is claimed is:
 1. An amusement ride system, comprising: a supportcomponent extending in a generally horizontal direction, the supportcomponent comprising a first anchored segment, a medial segment, and asecond anchored segment, wherein at least the medial segment of thesupport component is elevated a distance above the ground; a trolleymovably attached to the support component; a retraction subsystem thatmoves the trolley along the length of the support component between thefirst anchored segment and the medial segment; and a swing subsystemcomprising a passenger carriage and a swing line pivotally coupled tothe trolley, wherein the passenger carriage swings on the swing lineabout the trolley and the length of the swing line between the passengercarriage and the trolley is less than the distance above the ground. 2.The amusement ride system of claim 1, wherein the support componentspans a canyon, gorge, valley, ravine, gap, gulch, or chasm.
 3. Theamusement ride system of claim 2, wherein the first anchored segment ofthe support component comprises a tower.
 4. The amusement ride system ofclaim 1, further comprising a passenger loading subsystem.
 5. Theamusement ride system of claim 4, wherein the passenger loadingsubsystem comprises a platform and a securing mechanism, wherein theplatform temporarily engages the passenger carriage while loading andunloading passengers, and the securing mechanism temporarily secures thepassenger carriage while loading and unloading passengers.
 6. Theamusement ride system of claim 5, wherein the platform comprisesmoveable floor panels that can be retracted or rotated to a launchposition.
 7. The amusement ride system of claim 6, wherein the passengercarriage can be positioned so that passengers look substantiallystraight down to the ground when the floor panels are retracted orrotated to the launch position.
 8. The amusement ride system of claim 1,wherein the swing subsystem further comprises a swing line drive motorfor extending and retracting the swing line.
 9. The amusement ridesystem of claim 8, wherein the swing line drive motor is affixed to thetrolley.
 10. The amusement ride system of claim 8, wherein the swingline drive motor is affixed to the first anchored segment of the supportcomponent, and the trolley comprises a swing line pulley member forengaging the swing line.
 11. The amusement ride system of claim 8,wherein the swing line drive motor is affixed to the medial segment ofthe support component, and the trolley comprises a swing line pulleymember for engaging the swing line.
 12. The amusement ride system ofclaim 1, wherein the retraction subsystem comprises a trolley lineaffixed to the trolley, a first pulley member affixed to the firstanchored segment of the support component for engaging the trolley line,a medial pulley member affixed to the medial segment of the supportcomponent for engaging the trolley line, and a trolley line drive motorfor extending and retracting the trolley line.
 13. The amusement ridesystem of claim 1, wherein the trolley comprises a tethering mechanismfor temporarily tethering the trolley to the medial segment of thesupport component.
 14. The amusement ride system of claim 1, wherein thesupport component comprises two cables tensioned to 5,000 pounds. 15.The amusement ride system of claim 1, wherein the first anchored segmentand the second anchored segment of the support component are eachcoupled to a manufactured tower.
 16. The amusement ride system of claim1, wherein the passenger carriage comprises a seat for positioning apassenger in a seated position.
 17. The amusement ride system of claim16, wherein the seat is a tandem seat for positioning two passengersside-by-side in the seating position.
 18. An amusement ride system,comprising: a support component extending in a generally horizontaldirection, the support component comprising a first anchored segment, amedial segment, and a second anchored segment, wherein at least themedial segment of the support component is elevated a distance above theground; a trolley movably attached to the support component; aretraction subsystem that moves the trolley along the length of thesupport component between the first anchored segment and the medialsegment, the retraction subsystem comprising a trolley line affixed tothe trolley, a first pulley member affixed to the first anchored segmentof the support component for engaging the trolley line, a medial pulleymember affixed to the medial segment of the support component forengaging the trolley line, and a trolley line drive motor for extendingand retracting the trolley line; a swing subsystem comprising apassenger carriage, a swing line pivotally coupled to the trolley, and aswing line drive motor for extending and retracting the swing line,wherein the passenger carriage swings on the swing line about thetrolley and the length of the swing line between the passenger carriageand the trolley is less than the distance above the ground; and apassenger loading subsystem comprising a platform and a securingmechanism, wherein the platform temporarily supports passengers and rideattendants while loading and unloading passengers, and the securingmechanism temporarily secures the passenger carriage while loading andunloading passengers.
 19. The amusement ride system of claim 18, whereinthe swing line drive motor is affixed to the first anchored segment ofthe support component, and the trolley comprises a swing line pulleymember for engaging the swing line.
 20. An amusement ride methodcomprising: loading a passenger into a passenger carriage on a platform,wherein a swing line is interconnected between the passenger carriageand a trolley that is movably attached to a support component, whereinthe support component extends in a direction across a canyon; moving thetrolley away from the platform to a medial segment of the supportcomponent; positioning the passenger carriage into a launching positionon the platform; releasing the passenger carriage from the platform toswing in the direction of the support component; retracting the swingline to raise the passenger carriage; and moving the trolley towards theplatform to unload the passenger from the passenger carriage.